Illinois Wesleyan University sent faculty and staff to Morocco as part of a joint seminar that is laying the groundwork for exchanges between universities in the Islamic countries and Illinois Wesleyan.
Seven faculty and staff were chosen to make the weeklong journey to Morocco this June, after spending a semester studying about the country in a weekly seminar-style meetings.
Those chosen for the Initiative were Academic Outreach Librarian and Associate Professor Lynda Duke, Environmental Studies Chair and Associate Professor of Environmental Studies and International Studies Abigail Jahiel, Hispanic Studies Director and Professor Carolyn Nadeau, Associate Professor of Economics Diego Mendez-Carbajo, Associate Professor of Economics Ilaria Ossella-Durbal, Career Consultant Robyn Walter, and University of Communications Staff Writer Rachel Hatch. The group was led by Associate Dean of Curriculum Zahia Drici and International Office Director Stacey Shimizu.
In the seminar meetings, each member chose a topic and readings to discuss with the group, based upon their research or areas of interest. During our sessions, we have explored readings on topics such as the changing roles of women, the economic challenges the country faces, the avenues of education for the Moroccan people, and Moroccan cuisine representing a cultural crossroads. What follows is a blog from University Writer Rachel Hatch:
As a writer, my interest in traveling abroad is to gain a deeper understanding of the experience of students, staff and faculty travels for the stories I compose for the Web site, news releases and the Illinois Wesleyan University Magazine. As the only member of the Initiative who has not traveled extensively, I aim to set down the experience of crossing the ocean for the first time in a blog while in Morocco.
Going into the Initiative’s weekly meetings, I was aware I would learn about Morocco – a culture and land completely different than my own. What I did not know is how much the information would change how I will approach the June trip. My project is to write a story about the university where we will be staying – Al Akhawayn in Ifrane, Morocco. What I thought would be a simple story on an institution is evolving into an understanding of what the university represents to all of Morocco – the pulling forces of education and tradition, and what it means for a nation to emerge from its colonial past. Now each person I see, from university scholars to street vendors in the souks, will be part of the larger picture of a country known as the gateway to the west. And as nervous as I am to travel for the first time to a foreign country, I cannot wait to meet it.